🏃 🧘‍♀️ 💼 📚

cantobestie

句式

geoi3 sik1

13 Must-Know Everyday Cantonese Patterns 🇭🇰

Stop memorizing random Cantonese words — instead, learn these. Every example below uses the same verb, 做 (zou6, "to do/make"), so you can see exactly how each small word changes the meaning.

The Big Idea

One verb, thirteen ways to use it 🧩

All 13 examples use 做 (zou6). Notice how the meaning shifts completely depending on which small word attaches to it — learn the pattern, and you can plug in almost any verb you already know.

Group 1

The basics — marking when it happens ⏱️

These three patterns share the same skeleton (Subject + Verb + Object) — only the piece right after the verb changes.

Pattern 1 PRESENT / HABITUAL

我做運動。

ngo5 zou6 wan6 dung6.

I exercise.

Subject + Verb + Object

Pattern 2 PAST TENSE — COMPLETED ACTION

我做咗家務。

ngo5 zou6 zo2 gaa1 mou6.

I did some housework.

Subject + Verb + 咗zo2 (past tense) + Object

Pattern 3 PRESENT CONTINUOUS — HAPPENING NOW

我做緊功課。

ngo5 zou6 gan2 gung1 fo3.

I'm doing my homework.

Subject + Verb + 緊gan2 (ongoing) + Object

Group 2

Plans, ability & possibility 🎯

From "planning to" all the way to "physically able to" — four shades of possibility, each with its own marker.

Pattern 4 FUTURE PLAN / INTENTION

我打算做老師。

ngo5 daa2 syun3 zou6 lou5 si1.

I plan to become a teacher.

Subject + 打算daa2syun3 (plan to) + Verb + Noun

Pattern 5 FUTURE TENSE — WILL / GOING TO

我會做 gym。

ngo5 wui5 zou6 gym1.

I will hit the gym.

Subject + 會wui5 (future tense) + Verb + Object

Pattern 6 POTENTIAL — ABLE TO (CAN)

放心啦，我做得到！

fong3 sam1 laa1, ngo5 zou6 dak1 dou2!

Don't worry, I can do it!

Subject + Verb + 得到dak1dou2 (can)

Pattern 7 POTENTIAL — UNABLE TO (CAN’T)

今日太攰喇，我做唔到。

gam1 jat6 taai3 gui6 laa3, ngo5 zou6 m4 dou2.

I'm too tired today. I can't do it.

Subject + Verb + 唔到m4dou2 (can't)

Group 3

Obligation & necessity 📌

When something has to happen — whether it's scheduled, or just non-negotiable.

Pattern 8 OBLIGATION — A FUTURE NECESSITY

聽日我要做身體檢查。

ting1 jat6 ngo5 jiu3 zou6 san1 tai2 gim2 caa4.

I need to have a medical check-up tomorrow.

Time + Subject + 要jiu3 (need to) + Verb + Object

Pattern 9 STRONG OBLIGATION — EMPHATIC

呢件事我一定要做。

ni1 gin6 si6 ngo5 jat1 ding6 jiu3 zou6.

I definitely have to do this.

Topic + Subject + 一定要jat1ding6jiu3 (definitely must) + Verb

Group 4

Desires & feelings 💛

From a wish, to an invitation, to a full-blown like or hate — how you feel about the action comes right before the verb.

Pattern 10 DESIRE — WANT TO

我想做生意。

ngo5 soeng2 zou6 saang1 ji3.

I want to start a business.

Subject + 想soeng2 (want to) + Verb + Object

Pattern 11 SUGGESTION — A SOFT PROPOSAL

不如我哋一齊做運動？

bat1 jyu4 ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 zou6 wan6 dung6?

How about we exercise together?

不如bat1jyu4 (how about) + Subject + 一齊jat1cai4 (together) + Verb + Object

Pattern 12 PREFERENCE — LIKE DOING

我鍾意做瑜伽。

ngo5 zung1 ji3 zou6 jyu4 gaa1.

I like doing yoga.

Subject + 鍾意zung1ji3 (like to) + Verb + Object

Pattern 13 STRONG DISLIKE — HATE DOING

我好憎食榴槤。

ngo5 hou2 zang1 sik6 lau4 lin4.

I really hate eating durian.

Subject + 好憎hou2zang1 (really hate) + Verb + Object

Practice

Which pattern is it? 🎯

Eight quick questions covering all 13 patterns above. Tap an answer for instant feedback. 加油 (gaa1 jau4)!

Score: 0 / 0 answered

🎁 You did it!

Grab the printable PDF of all 13 patterns — perfect for keeping by your desk or reviewing offline.

Download the free PDF ↓

🔒 Finish the quiz above to unlock the free PDF download of all 13 patterns.

Enjoyed this? Let's actually speak it. 🗣️

One-on-one Cantonese lessons with Wincy — born and raised in Hong Kong, and your biggest supporter on the other side of the screen. Your first lesson is USD 19.

Book your trial lesson →

or just say hi first — DM me @cantobestie